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Introduction: Turkey Travel Safety Advice for 2025
Steeped in history and cultural richness, Türkiye, with its captivating heart, Istanbul, has become a global tourism powerhouse. Istanbul itself reigned supreme as the most visited city in the world in 2023, a testament to its enduring allure. While Türkiye has navigated recent challenges, including the 2016 coup attempt, isolated security incidents, regional tensions, the 2023 earthquake, the fall of Assad regime in Syria, and now the recent arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, followed closely by a 6.2-magnitude earthquake on April 23, 2025 and ongoing protests, its resilience shines through. Almost all regions of the country remain havens for visitors, eager to experience the country’s warmth and timeless treasures.
As with any travel destination, staying informed about current conditions is prudent. However, for those seeking an unforgettable adventure in 2025, Türkiye beckons with its vibrant culture and natural beauty.
August 2025 Update from Istanbul
Despite continued regional tensions involving Israel and Iran, we want to reassure all travelers that Istanbul and Turkey remain completely safe to visit. Daily life in Istanbul is vibrant and uninterrupted, and all major tourist areas across the country are calm, secure, and welcoming.
As always, we recommend avoiding border zones in the southeast and east near Syria, Iraq, and Iran — regions far from any tourist trail. But from the beaches of the Aegean to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, Turkey continues to offer unforgettable experiences with peace of mind.
We’re here and guiding daily — and everything is business as usual.
Earlier this year, the arrest of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu drew significant public attention and led to demonstrations across the country.
The situation has since calmed down — İmamoğlu now faces an extended legal process, and street protests have largely faded from public life.
Security remains strong throughout Istanbul, with visible police presence and stable conditions in all central neighborhoods.
- No violence or unrest has been reported in tourist zones.
- Istanbul is too busy and touristy if anything!
- The city is thriving — with bustling streets, full ferries, vibrant markets, and excited visitors everywhere.
If you’re considering a trip, rest assured: Istanbul is calm, safe, and full of life. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are always here to share honest, up-to-date information from the ground.
Tourism in Turkey
There are many reasons why Turkey is a popular destination for travelers, besides its geographic convenience. This fascinating land boasts rich history and natural beauty, yet one of the most striking qualities of the Turkish nation can be summarized in one word: warmth. Cheesy because it’s true, right?
Now that tensions between Israel and Iran have cooled, many travelers are still asking:
Is Turkey a safe destination right now?
Short answer: Absolutely. As of August 4, 2025, Türkiye is completely safe for travel — especially in Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean coast, and other major tourist destinations.
While Turkey borders some complex regions, it remains uninvolved in any active conflict, and daily life in tourist areas continues peacefully and uninterrupted.
We always recommend avoiding remote southeastern border zones near Syria, Iraq, and Iran, but these areas are far from any typical travel itinerary.
In short:
Turkey is open, safe, and as magical as ever.
As for the other issues from recent years, the situation had largely stabilized by the end of 2019 in terms of internal security. While Turkey has been involved in ongoing military operations in northern Syria against the PKK and other Kurdish separatist groups, these activities are confined to specific border regions and do not affect the safety or daily life in Turkey’s touristic areas. Travelers can feel confident visiting Turkey’s popular destinations without concern for their security.
In terms of tourism, Turkey has continued its remarkable recovery. Nearly 57.2 million tourists visited the country in 2023, a significant milestone that positioned Turkey as the fourth most visited country in the world. Istanbul alone attracted 20.2 million international visitors in 2023, further cementing its status as a global tourism hub.
Turkey’s commitment to ensuring visitor safety, combined with its rich cultural heritage and hospitality, has solidified the country’s reputation as a premier travel destination.
Butterfly Valley, Fethiye, on the Mediterranean coastline of Türkiye
Here's the long answer
Turkey is one of the more complex countries with serious political turmoil and social confusion, riding on a fragile economy in a unique location of the planet. And the country has recently gone through general elections in May 2023 and regional elections in April 2024, latter of which yielded unseen results in favor of the opposition in Turkish politics. So, 2025 is turning out to be a tricky year for anyone living or visiting here, especially economically and politically. Erdogan just got his biggest rival arrested on corruption charges and the country is erupting with street protests! However, Turkey is also one of the world’s most culturally, historically rich countries with some of the warmest and most hospitable people anywhere.
Moreover, tourism is the third biggest income for Turkey’s economy and a significant portion of the population depends on it to make a living. It’s fair to say that the security of tourists and the country’s ability to welcome holiday-makers safely will be high up on the Turkish government’s list of priorities. Therefore, the country has been on high alert on all fronts and Turkish authorities have been working tirelessly to make sure all the necessary security measures are taken.
After all, Turks are notorious for their tenacious fighting spirit and that really shows on how tight of a collective effort has been put forward lately in to preventing any kind of security threat to the mainland and anyone in it. Foreign visitors are pleasantly surprised by the level of safety they experience when walking the streets of Istanbul and Turkey in general, both during day and night. Of course, some areas are to be avoided much like anywhere in the world but they are often far away from touristy sections of the city anyway.
British nationals made over 3.8 million visits to Turkey in 2022. Most visits are trouble free. Be alert to your surroundings and remain vigilant in crowded places popular with foreign nationals, including during festival periods. –gov.uk
How the Israel-Hamas Conflict Might Affect Travel to Turkey
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas could have some impact on travel safety in Turkey. Turkish government and public opinion is fervently on the side of the Palestinians and the officials are quite loud about it.
While the countries are geographically separate, the situation raises several considerations for travelers:
- Cross-Border Risks: The conflict may escalate and involve countries like Syria, making areas near Turkey’s border riskier. Travelers are advised to avoid regions within 10 km of the Syrian border and specific provinces like Sirnak and Hakkari.
- Protests: The conflict might spark demonstrations in Turkish cities, which could turn violent. It’s advised to avoid protests, stay alert in tourist areas, and keep an eye on local media.
- Terrorism Threat: The situation could increase terrorism risks, as groups like ISIS or PKK might seize the opportunity. Opt for well-secured hotels and follow local authorities’ advice.
- Travel Advisory: Always check the latest government advisories before traveling and consider getting comprehensive travel insurance.
The situation is dynamic, so it’s important to stay updated with reliable sources for the latest information and advice.
How does the Russian invasion of Ukraine impact Turkey's safety?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing a lot of trouble, not just locally, but potentially all over the world. This is shaking things up economically and in terms of world security. It’s also raising some big ethical and humanitarian issues.
Despite all this chaos, it’s important to know that if you’re traveling to or from Turkey, you should still be safe. Just because Turkey is close to the conflict doesn’t mean it’s dangerous.
But there’s another issue. A lot of Russian tourists have started to flood into Turkey, especially Istanbul and Antalya. This sudden increase has caused rental prices to go up all over the country. This rise in living costs is hitting people hard, especially those who need affordable housing. So, while it’s not immediately obvious, this is another serious problem caused by the conflict.
The aftermath of 2023 Earthquake
Turkey has always been a popular tourist destination, and it has always been an earthquake zone, at least for the last 13 million years. Without doubt, recent natural disasters have left travelers wondering about the safety of the country. On February 4, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Turkey, causing widespread destruction and officially, killing tens of thousands. The earthquake brought down significant portions of at least 11 cities, leaving many wondering if it was safe to travel to Turkey in 2025.
However, despite the devastation caused by the earthquake, the country has made significant efforts to rebuild and recover already. With time, the country is making strides towards normalcy, and many parts of Turkey that were not directly affected by the earthquake are, or at least will soon be safe for foreign travelers to visit.
Travelers can currently enjoy the many delights that Turkey has to offer, such as the rich culture, stunning architecture, and natural beauty. Istanbul, for example, is a bustling city with a rich history, famous landmarks, unique city tours and delicious cuisine. The coastal towns of Bodrum and Antalya are also popular tourist destinations with beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters.
It is important to note, however, that while much of Turkey has been spared from the direct impact of the 2023 February earthquakes, there are vast areas that are affected by the disaster, leaving millions living in tents or temporary housing. Visitors should always be mindful of any potential risks and stay up to date on any alerts or advisories issued by the government or local authorities.
Donate to the earthquake victims
Recent Vlog
Conclusion
While the earthquake in southeastern Turkey is an unprecedented tragedy, the country is making significant progress in recovery efforts, and many parts of Turkey (70 provinces out of 81) are already more than safe for foreign travelers to visit. Even with the Israel-Hamas confict, Turkey continues to be a relatively safe tourism destination as one of the most popular countries in the world. As with any travel destination, it is always important to exercise caution and stay informed about any potential risks, but visitors can once again enjoy the many wonders that Turkey has to offer.
Plus, the Turkish lira is unfortunately at an all time low against the dollar, euro, pound, etc., – it’s sad for us locals but it’s never been a better time to explore this gorgeous country for foreigners.
And if all that was not enough to convince you, here’s a closing quote from an anonymous source:
Worrying about the risk of travel feels like worrying about being struck by lightning.
